P.H. Poojar (Prahlad H. Pujari), the NDA alliance candidate for the post of Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, filed his nomination papers with Legislative Council Secretary Jyoti in Bengaluru on Thursday, 14 August. The election for the Chairman's post is scheduled for Friday during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature.

NDA Rallies Behind Poojar

Poojar submitted his nomination in the presence of Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and Opposition Chief Whip N. Ravikumar, along with other NDA legislators who extended their support. Members of the Legislative Council from both NDA constituent parties were present at the filing, signalling a unified front from the alliance.

Earlier on Thursday, BJP MLCs convened a meeting under the leadership of Chalavadi Narayanaswamy to discuss the election and strategy for the Chairman's post, underlining the significance the opposition bloc attaches to the contest.

Congress Fields Salim Ahmed

Congress MLC Salim Ahmed has also filed his nomination for the same post, submitting his papers at the office of the Legislative Council Secretary in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The contest, therefore, sets up a direct electoral test between the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) and the NDA bloc within the upper house.

Controversy Over Former Chairman's Resignation

The election comes against the backdrop of a dispute surrounding the exit of former Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, who alleged he was compelled to resign and was not given the opportunity to do so on his own terms.

'I have conveyed everything to the Governor in this regard. The Governor has not given me any intimation. He has not stated whether I have been relieved or whether my resignation has been accepted. As far as I know, if I have been appointed as the pro-tem Chairman, it means my resignation has been accepted,' Horatti said.

Horatti, who has served in the House for 46 years, expressed deep disappointment over the state government's handling of the matter. 'I am pained by the move of the state government. I have not done anything wrong. I am saddened... I had to resign under a compulsive situation. I did not want a confrontational situation,' he said.

Who Is P.H. Poojar?

P.H. Poojar is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of the Legislative Council representing the local authorities constituency. An entrepreneur and agriculturist from the Bagalkot-Vijayapura region, he is a prominent figure in North Karnataka politics, particularly active in Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts.

What Happens Next

With nominations filed by both sides, the Legislative Council is set to vote for its new Chairman on Friday. The outcome will determine the presiding officer of Karnataka's upper house for the period ahead, and the contest is being closely watched as a measure of floor strength between the ruling Congress and the NDA opposition.